1751The Federalist 64, Independent Journal (New York), 5 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
To the People of the State of New-York. IT is a just and not a new observation that enemies to particular persons and opponents to particular measures, seldom confine their censures to such things only in either, as are worthy of blame, unless on this principle it is difficult to explain the motives of their conduct, who condemn the proposed constitution in the aggregate, and treat with...
1752The American Peace Commissioners: Acceptance of the British Declaration of the Cessation of Hostilities, [20 January … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (three), Library of Congress (two), Public Record Office, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy: National Archives; transcripts: National Archives (three) When Franklin, Adams, and William Temple Franklin arrived at Vergennes’ office at ten o’clock on the morning of January 20, they learned that...
1753Preliminary Articles of Peace: Second Draft Treaty, [4–7 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
D and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two D and copy: Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives As new American and British negotiators were converging on Paris, Franklin’s isolation in Passy posed certain inconveniences. John Adams arrived on October 26 but, as he initially refused to call on Franklin, the latter was evidently unaware of his arrival until Matthew Ridley...
1754Draft of The Federalist 3, [before 3 November 1787] (Jay Papers)
It is not a new observation that the People at of any country (if like ours us ^ the americans ^ intelligent and left to the well informed) seldom adopt and steadily persevere in an for many Years, in an erroneous opinion respecting their Interests; and that Consideration leads me ^ naturally tends ^
1755The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
1756Address to the New York State Legislature, 6 January 1796 (Jay Papers)
PERMIT me to avail myself of this first opportunity, which has occurred, of expressing through you to my constituents, the high sense I entertain of that esteem and confidence which prompted them to place me in the station I now fill. Fully apprized of the duties which it imposes upon me, my best endeavours shall be exerted to fulfill them; and I flatter myself, that in the course of my...
1757Export License from the Secret Committee, 9 January 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Library <Philadelphia, January 9, 1776, to the New Hampshire committee of inspection: The secret committee, as empowered by the Congress, authorizes John Langdon of New Hampshire to export to the amount of $10,000 the produce of the colonies, in their service and according to the Continental Association; horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry are excepted....
1758The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
1759Report Opposing Formation of a Confederacy against Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis, 2 August 1787 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a Motion made the 27 th . of last Month in the Words following, Viz t . “That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of France be directed to form a Confederacy with the Powers of Europe, who are now at War with the piratical States of Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis, or may be...
1760Appointment of William Temple Franklin, 1 October 1782 (Jay Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Benjamin Franklin & John Jay send Greetings. Whereas the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the 15 th . June in the year of our Lord 1781, appoint and constitute the said Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, & John Adams, Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson Esquires, and the Majority of them, and of such of them as should assemble for the...
1761The American Peace Commissioners to Henry Strachey, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (three), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives We have been honoured with your Favor of the 5th. Instant, and as our Answer to a Letter We recieved from Mr. Oswald on the same subject contains our unanimous Sentiments respecting it, We take...
1762The American Peace Commissioners to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 22 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 10th. Day of this Month, containing a brief State of the affairs of the United States in your hands. We see the Difficulties you are in, and are sorry to say that it is not in our Power to afford you any Relief....
1763Draft of an Address of the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York to Their Constituents, 23 December … (Jay Papers)
An Address of the Represen Convention of the State of New York to their Constituents At this most important Period, when the ^ the ^ Freedom & Happiness or ^ the ^ Slavery & misery, are to be of the present & future Generations of Americans is to be determined on a solemn appeal to the great &
1764Extracts from Melancton Smith’s Notes of Debates, 2 July 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r Jay Factions may prevail—as in Holland— this 1/3 may prevent a benef l . Loan— will promote wars— has been attended, with bad effects—in G. Britain— more important, to form this check, than under the confed n — ^[ in margin ] M r . Jay. in republics^ In Rep. govt s . sentiments under three divis[ion] s — suppose two contend g
1765Circular Letter to the Governors, 22 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
You will receive herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 21 st Inst calling on the States for forty five Millions of Dollars— The late rapid depreciation of the Currency demanded a Speedy and effectual Remedy— While the great purposes for which the money was originally issued are remembered there can be no doubt that every measure calculated to support it’s credit and preserve...
1766The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to William Bingham, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania These instructions were composed on the day that Congress authorized the secret committee to export to the West Indies enough goods to pay for the 10,000 muskets described in the second paragraph. Bingham’s mission to the Caribbean was similar to Deane’s earlier one to Europe in that both went in a dual role. Each was the agent of the committee of secret...
1767The Secret Committee to Richard Harrison, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have already wrote you of this date by the Sloop Peggy Capt. Patton and directed how you shou’d apply the Net proceeds of that Cargo unless you received other Orders from us. But shou’d you receive this letter in time it will be delivered you by a Young Gentleman who will be Authorized by another Committee of Congress to receive and dispose of the Net...
1768Report on Anglo-American Relations, 26 July 1787 (Jay Papers)
The Secretary of the United States for the Department of foreign Affairs, to whom was referred two Letters from the Honorable M r . Adams of the 24 th . & 27 th . January last— Reports. — The first of these Letters gives Occasion to several Questions. Shall M r . Adams return after the Expiration of his commission to the Court of London, viz t . 24 th . Feb y . 1788? Your Secretary is...
1769Exegesis of Genesis, Chapter 1, Verse 3 [c. 1813] (Jay Papers)
Men have universally and in all Ages agreed and concurred in ascribing Light to the Instrumentality of the Sun Moon and Stars, and yet Moses assures us that Light was made before any of those Luminaries were created— How is this contradictory apparent contradiction to be reconciled to Truth? I never doubted the Fact as asserted by Moses— the Difficulty was how to account for it— If a...
1770The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
1771Draft Articles on the Fisheries and Creditors, 28 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
That the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the People of the Said United States Shall continue to enjoy, unmolested, the Right to take Fish of every Kind, on the Grand Bank and on all the other Banks of Newfoundland: also in the Gulph of St Laurence, and in all other Places, where the Inhabitants of both Countries, used at any time heretofore to fish; and the Citizens of the Said United...
1772Testimony regarding the St. Croix River, 21 May 1798 (Jay Papers)
The answer of John Jay, who, was one of the Commissioners by whom the Treaty of Peace between Great Britain & the United States was negotiated, to the Interrogatories put to him at the Instance of the Agent on the part of the United States, by the board of Commissioners for ascertaining the River S t . Croix, intended in and by the said Treaty. The said John Jay having been duly sworn answers...